The Weekly Wrap | The 2026 home-and-away season is rapidly running out of rounds, with four more competitions finishing their regular seasons this weekend and the first two leagues already turning their attention to finals football.
There was also plenty of movement at the top of the goal-kicking race, several huge winning margins and some significant winning streaks coming to an end as clubs look to hit September in form.
In off-field news there was just one major off-field development this week, with Kerang FNC and Murrabit FNC entering discussions about a possible merger for the 2027 season. The two Central Murray FNL clubs are now exploring what a combined club could look like, adding another potential change to the landscape of country football ahead of next season.
The first two competitions have now entered finals action, with the Omeo & District FNL and Upper Murray FNL getting their September campaigns underway. Reigning Omeo & District premier Omeo-Benambra FNC made the perfect start to its quest for a third consecutive premiership, defeating Buchan FNC by 62 points in the Elimination Final. The Upper Murray FNL also got its finals campaign underway, with the four team competition now into its post season.
Four more competitions completed their home-and-away seasons this weekend and will begin finals next week: the Heathcote & District FNL, Millewa FNL, Picola & District FNL and South West District FNL.
It was another huge scoring weekend as there were plenty of big numbers again, with nine clubs kicking more than 200 points and the statewide average winning margin again sitting above 60 points at 63.35 points. Four leagues recorded average winning margins of more than 100 points for their respective rounds.
The Bendigo FNL produced one of the biggest results, with Gisborne FNC piling on 40.18 (258) to defeat its opponent by 242 points — the eighth biggest winning margin recorded in Victoria this season Pakenham FNC was similarly dominant in Outer East Division One, kicking 40.16 (256) on its way to a 241 point victory, the ninth biggest margin of 2026. In the Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL, Harcourt FNC also enjoyed a massive afternoon, finishing with 35.23 (233) in a 214 point victory over Avoca FNC, which managed just 3.1 (19).
For all the big wins, there were some remarkably close finishes. The Bendigo FNL produced a one point thriller with Sandhurst FNC edging Strathfieldsaye FNC 9.10 (64) to 9.9 (63). Up in the Ovens & Murray FNL also went down to the wire, with North Albury FNC holding out Myrtleford FNC by a solitary point, 8.11 (59) to 8.10 (58). And in the Wimmera FNL, Stawell Warriors FNC prevailed by one point over Horsham Saints FNC, 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73).
We alsoi had a draw with an extraordinary finish in the Hampden FNL produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the weekend. North Warrnambool FNC looked to have the match safely in its keeping when it held a 36 point lead at three quarter time against Terang Mortlake FNC. But the Bloods produced an extraordinary final term, booting 8.2 to 1.2, to level the scores at 10.11 (71) apiece. The draw means North Warrnambool's unbeaten run remains intact at 20 games, making it the third longest current unbeaten streak in Victorian country football. It was also a battle between two sides coached by former AFL players, with Nathan Vardy at North Warrnambool and Lewis Taylor coaching Terang Mortlake.
Several significant winning streaks came to an end on the eve of finals. The biggest belonged to reigning Tallangatta & District FNL premier Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC, whose extraordinary 23 game winning streak was ended by third placed Yackandandah FNC. Yackandandah prevailed 12.5 (77) to 10.9 (69), setting up the possibility of another meeting between the two sides in the opening week of finals.
In the Central Highlands FNL, Daylesford FNC's 13-game winning run ended with a three-point loss to Buninyong FNC, 13.8 (86) to 12.11 (83). Winchelsea FNC also tasted defeat for the first time in 10 weeks, going down by 41 points to 11th-placed Corio FNC in the Geelong & District FNL. Meanwhile, Rosebud FNC lost for the first time in nine weeks in the MPNFNL Division One, beaten by second-placed Langwarrin FNC by 19 points. while top of the table Ararat FNC also had its eight game winning streak ended by Nhill FNC in the Wimmera FNL.
There was some relief for several clubs at the other end of the ladder as some losing runs finally ended. Apollo Bay FNC finally tasted victory in the Colac & District FNL, ending a 13 game losing run with a seven point victory over Otway Districts FNC. In the Ellinbank & District FNL, Yarragon FNC finally got to sing the club song again after 11 weeks, defeating Nilma Darnum FNC 13.10 (88) to 10.10 (70). While in the Warrnambool & District FNL, bottom side Kolora Noorat FNC ended a seven-game losing streak with a 30-point win over South Rovers FNC, dealing a blow to the latter's finals aspirations with just one round remaining.
Former Richmond and Western Bulldogs forward Sam Lloyd continued his incredible run in front of goal for Geelong Amateur FNC, booting 10 goals against Barwon Heads FNC in a 96-point victory. The performance moved Lloyd 19 goals clear at the top of the Bellarine FNL goal-kicking table. Former GWS, Collingwood and Sydney star Taylor Adams made his debut for Ultima FNC in the Central Murray FNL and was named best on ground, although his new side couldn't get the win, going down to Moulamein FNC by 101 points.
The forwards again had a field day, with 16 players kicking 10 or more goals across Victoria. There was one bag of 16, one of 14, two of 13, three of 12, four of 11 and five players finishing with 10. The biggest haul belonged to Dominic Dare, who kicked 16 goals for Alvie FNC in the Colac & District FNL. Bridgewater FNC again featured prominently, with Oscar McKinley kicking 14 and statewide leader Lachie Sharp adding another 13. Blake Dye also finished with 13 for Leitchville Gunbower FNC, while Pakenham FNC's Joshua Haggar and Matthew Ryan both kicked 12 in their teams big win.
The 100 goal club continued to grow this weekend as three more reach the ton. Tim Rinaldi moved to 105 goals for Carisbrook FNC after kicking seven, while Tom Barnes reached 104 after another 11 goal performance for Nagambie FNC. Dartmoor FNC spearhead Christian Howlett also joined the club, reaching 101 goals after kicking nine, including eight before half-time, in the final home and away game.
That leaves the statewide goal-kicking race looking increasingly impressive.
Overall Goal Kicking Leaderboard
Lachie Sharp – Bridgewater FNC: 138
Keenan Hughes – Cowwarr FNC: 111
Jhye Baddeley-Kelly – Pyramid Hill FNC: 108
Tim Rinaldi – Carisbrook FNC: 105
Tom Barnes – Nagambie FNC: 104
Guy Telford – Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC: 102
Christian Howlett – Dartmoor FNC: 101
With finals now underway in two competitions and another four joining them next weekend, the race for premierships is moving into its most important stage of the season.
